Read the section in this week’s reading assignment on secure…
Read the section in this week’s reading assignment on secure passwords. Then pick and three passwords: one not secure, one acceptable, and one very secure. Then write a brief description of the passwords you have chosen, indicating why they are secure or not secure.t
Answer
Introduction
Passwords are a critical component of online security, serving as the first line of defense against unauthorized access to personal and sensitive information. However, not all passwords are created equal. While some may be easily guessed or cracked by attackers, others are more resilient and secure. In this assignment, we will evaluate three passwords with varying levels of security, including one not secure, one acceptable, and one very secure.
Password 1: “password123”
The password “password123” is an example of a not secure password. It fails to meet the basic requirements of a strong password. Firstly, it is extremely common and widely used, making it vulnerable to dictionary-based attacks. Passwords like “password,” “123456,” and their variations are consistently among the most frequently used, leaving users susceptible to automated and brute-force attacks. Additionally, this password lacks complexity and contains only lowercase letters and numbers, without any special characters or capitalization. Attackers can easily crack such passwords using various techniques, such as brute-forcing or rainbow table attacks. In summary, “password123” is not secure as it is predictable, easily guessable, and lacks complexity.
Password 2: “5u8GH$ki”
The password “5u8GH$ki” is an example of an acceptable password. It exhibits several characteristics of a secure password. Firstly, it employs a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, which increases its complexity and makes it more difficult for attackers to guess or crack. Additionally, the password does not contain any obvious patterns or dictionary words, further enhancing its security. Its length, with eight characters, is reasonably adequate, although longer passwords are generally more secure. While this password can resist automated brute-force attacks to some extent, it may still be vulnerable to sophisticated cracking techniques or targeted attacks. In conclusion, “5u8GH$ki” is an acceptable password due to its complexity, lack of predictability, and use of different character types to enhance security.
Password 3: “n&Tb9A!$2Fqz”
The password “n&Tb9A!$2Fqz” is an example of a very secure password. It surpasses the security requirements of an acceptable password by incorporating additional elements to increase complexity. Firstly, it takes advantage of a longer length with 14 characters, which significantly strengthens its resistance against brute-force attacks. Moreover, it includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, making it considerably challenging for attackers to crack. Furthermore, the password does not include any common words or patterns, reducing the risk of it being guessed or cracked using dictionary-based techniques. Finally, the password is randomly generated, eliminating any personal information or easily deducible elements that could make it vulnerable to targeted attacks. Overall, “n&Tb9A!$2Fqz” is a very secure password due to its length, complexity, lack of predictability, and randomness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the passwords “password123,” “5u8GH$ki,” and “n&Tb9A!$2Fqz” represent varying degrees of security. While “password123” is not secure due to its predictability and lack of complexity, “5u8GH$ki” is an acceptable password due to its complexity and lack of obvious patterns. On the other hand, “n&Tb9A!$2Fqz” is a very secure password, surpassing the requirements of an acceptable password by incorporating length, complexity, lack of predictability, and randomness. It is crucial for individuals to create and use secure passwords to ensure the protection of their online accounts and sensitive information.